Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Protein (FGF2) Human Active Protein

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members bind heparin and possess broad mitogenic and angiogenic activities. This protein has been implicated in diverse biological processes, such as limb and nervous system development, wound healing, and tumor growth. The mRNA for this gene contains multiple polyadenylation sites, and is alternatively translated from non-AUG (CUG) and AUG initiation codons, resulting in five different isoforms with distinct properties. The CUG-initiated isoforms are localized in the nucleus and are responsible for the intracrine effect, whereas, the AUG-initiated form is mostly cytosolic and is responsible for the paracrine and autocrine effects of this FGF. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

FGF2: Plays an important role in the regulation of cell survival, cell division, angiogenesis, cell differentiation and cell migration. Functions as potent mitogen in vitro. Monomer. Homodimer. Interacts with FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4. Affinity between fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors is increased by heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans that function as coreceptors. Interacts with CSPG4, FGFBP1 and TEC. Found in a complex with FGFBP1, FGF1 and FGF2. Expressed in granulosa and cumulus cells. Expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, but not in non- cancerous liver tissue. Belongs to the heparin-binding growth factors family. 4 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative initiation.

Protein type: Activator; Motility/polarity/chemotaxis

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 4q28.1

Cellular Component: extracellular region; extracellular space

Molecular Function: 1-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase activity; chemoattractant activity; cytokine activity; fibroblast growth factor receptor binding; growth factor activity; ligand-dependent nuclear receptor transcription coactivator activity; phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase activity; protein binding; protein-tyrosine kinase activity; Ras guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity

Biological Process: activation of MAPK activity; cell migration during sprouting angiogenesis; chemotaxis; embryonic morphogenesis; extracellular matrix organization and biogenesis; fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling pathway; growth factor dependent regulation of satellite cell proliferation; hyaluronan catabolic process; inositol phosphate biosynthetic process; MAPKKK cascade; negative regulation of blood vessel endothelial cell migration; nervous system development; organ morphogenesis; phosphatidylinositol biosynthetic process; phosphoinositide-mediated signaling; positive regulation of angiogenesis; positive regulation of blood vessel endothelial cell migration; positive regulation of cardiac muscle cell proliferation; positive regulation of cell fate specification; positive regulation of cell proliferation; positive regulation of endothelial cell proliferation; positive regulation of MAP kinase activity; positive regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; Ras protein signal transduction; regulation of angiogenesis; regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase cascade; release of sequestered calcium ion into cytosol; somatic stem cell maintenance; ureteric bud branching; wound healing